Organizations and groups across the East End will hold vigils this week in remembrance of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that occurred on December 14 in Newtown, Connecticut.

In East Hampton, a candlelight gathering to share grief and sympathy for the victims and their families will be held on Friday, December 21, at 4:30 p.m. on the Village Green. Twenty-six Christmas trees have been placed there in remembrance of the victims and the public is encouraged to bring a candle and an ornament to hang on one of the trees. East Hampton Village Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. and members of the East Hampton Town religious community will also attend.

In Sag Harbor, to mark one week since the tragedy in Newtown, a silent vigil organized by the Reverend Alison Cornish of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork will be held on Friday, December 21, at 9:30 a.m. at the flagpole in Marine Park.

In Southampton, a candlelight vigil for the Newtown Community organized by the students of the Southampton High School National Honor Society will be held on Thursday, December 20, at 6:30 p.m. in front of the memorial at Agawam Park. Students will speak and lead the vigil. In addition, songs will be performed by the MOSH and VOSH vocal groups. All who wish to show respect for those lost and love to those who remain are welcome to attend and bring a candle. Donations will be collected at the event to send to the community of Newtown to help offset the costs associated with their tragedy and Mrs. Perri Nation will be collecting notes of encouragement to send to the community.